Partition structure



March 5, 1935. A A 1,993,593

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed July 30, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l %l INVENTOR 72 500055 d leeazz/l.

Q jq w ATTORN EYS T. CARROZZA PARTITION STRUCTURE March 5, 1935.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 50, 1932 March 5, 1935. T. CARROZZA 1,993,593

PARTITION STRUCTURE Filed July SO, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENVI'OR %GQOZZA. ATTORNEYS March 5, 1935. T. c'ARRozzA PARTITION STRUCTURE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Ju 1y 30, 1932 INVENTOR ll F 77/500025 6Z4eeoZZA.

ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 5, 1935 ST TES a PA Tl I CT E Theodore Carro'zza, New-York, 1 Application July 30, 1932 seriaiiv szwiov' 3 Claims. (0120-4) This invention relates to improvements in T partition structures. I i j g Oneof the primary objects of the invention resides in a partition structure in-which the parts are standardized to enablethe erection and-takin'g down of the'same by one unskilled in the e'HrH-i r .1 Y c Anothenobj'ect' of the invention is' to provide a-partitionstructure especially adapted for offices-and other interior use, 'andwhich by reason of the sectional parts, permits of the installation of the'same underf various interior conditionsn' l A further object ofthein vention is the provision'of a partition structure constructed of wood to match the trim'of the interior'of a room: and which-consists of a plurality'of interfitting parts which serve to rigidly hold the structure in a set up condition without theaid of screws,'-nuts and other like fastening elements. I i r A still'further' object of the invention resides in a sectional partition structure which is simple and inexpensive of construction, and easy and quick toset up and take-down;

With theseand-other'objects in View, the invention resides in thecertain .novel construction, combination :and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described; areparticularly "pointedout'in weappended claims'and are ilhistrated intheaccom- P yingdrawings, intwhichz Figure 1 is ar'sectionalfelevationalview. of my invention: in setup position. 'u a Figure 2 is ;a vertical transverse sectional viewon the line'2-2 of Figure 1.- I 'Figure'fi is averticaltransverse sectional view on theline 3--3 of Figure 1. v I

vFigurei "is a horizontahsection'al view on the-line 4-4 of Figure 1. g

:Figure 5 is a horizontal sectionalview on the line 5-5 of Figural. v 7 .fi g, Figure 6 is adetail horizontal sectional View on the"1ine,66 of Figure l. f e

Figure *7 is a detail vertical sectionalyiew on the line 7' of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is"a, detail elevational the vertical posts with the molding strip removed and showing the manner in which the panels interlock with the 'post.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view one sectional partition unit withcertain partsin section andother parts in extended separated condition.

grooves 18 on the inner side thereof.

v ew of one of] Figure 10 is a detail horizontal sectional'view through one of the cornerxposts.

Figurerll is a'deta'il vertical sectional view through the top coping. v a Figure 12'isan'end elevational view oftheremovable top rail per se. I J Referring to the drawings by referenceicharac ters, the'numeral 10ldesignates a base sill adapted to be fixedly secured tonthe floor by'screws or like f astening elements 11. ,The partition struc-- ture rises from the'sill i0 and is set :up in sections' or units and each section includes a pair of spaced vertical posts '12, thellow'er ends of saidpostsbeing fixedlyr'secured to-the' sill 10 by screws or other'like fasteningmean's. Fixedly secured to one side of eachpost 12 is a molding strip 13, the side edges of which extend tbe-" yond opposite sides of the post 12 in order to provide abutments 14 for a purpose to be presently'explained. The molding strip- 13 is fixedly I connected to its post 12 by a tongue and groove connection 15, and which tongue and groove may be of friction fill'Ol secured by a bondof coping 16 which. comprises'a pair of spaced molding strips'17,"each strip having a pair of Inter-'- posed'between the molding strips 17 are'spacer and connecting rails 19, the same being substantially T-shaped and arranged in oposed relation with respect to each other withthe flanges 2001" the rails extending into the sets of opposed grooves 18 of the molding strips 17. A bond of adhesive such 'as glue maybe provided for fixedly securing. the molding strips 17- to-the connecting rails 19.1 Screws or like fastening elements 21 extend downwardly through the rails 19 and thread into the top of the post '12. By'reference to Figure 11 of the drawing, it will be seen that this construction provides the cop- 'ing 161with'a groove 22 in the top thereof and,

a groove23-rin the bottom thereof. Thetop of the post-12 extends into the groove 23 whereby opposite sides, of the post are lapped by the 24 which is" of a height v pproximating the height of the base board of a wall structure. Each molding strip 24 overlaps the sill 10 as does the lower end of the fixed molding strip 13. The free side of each post 12 is provided with a pair of spaced vertical grooves 25 which extend from the top end of the post to a. point below the top of the short strip 24 as best seen in dotted lines in Figure 9 of the drawings The opposite sides of each post 12 approximately midway between the ends thereof are mortised as at 26 and overlying the mortises 26 and countersunk in opposite sides of the post are keeper plates 27 provided with angular slots 28 which open through one of the side edges of the plate. The mortises 26 also open onto the same side of the post as the slot 28 for a purpose to be presently explained. Extending transversely through each post 12 at suitable spaced distances are openings 29, the outer walls of which are flared as at 30.

Fitting between each pair of spaced posts 12 is a panel 31, the bottom of which is provided with baseboards 32 fixedly secured to opposite sides of the panel and which terminate short of-.opposite ends thereof. The base boards 32 extend below the bottom edge of the panel 31 to embrace opposite sides of the sill lowhen the panel is in set up position. The thickness of the panel 31 is substantially the same as the width of the sill 10 in order that the inner sides of the extending portions of the base board 32 may snugly embrace opposite sides of the sill. The base board 32 terminates short of the ends of the panel 31 to enable the extending sides of the moldingstrip 13 and short molding strip 24 to abut the ends of the base board 32 and embrace portions of opposite sides of the panel 31.

. The panel 31 is set into position by sliding opposite ends of the same between the extending portions of the strips 13 and 24 until the lower edges of the baseboard 32 strikes the floor on which the sill 10 is mounted.

After the panel 31 has been set in position, a top rail 33 having a groove 34 in the under side thereof is set upon the panel 31, the top edge of the panel seating in the groove 34.. The top of each rail 33 is provided with an upstanding shoulder 35, while the opposite ends of the rail are notched as at 36 to accommodate the extending sides of the molding strip 13 and the removable molding strip presently to be described. Extending from opposite ends of the top rail 33 are headed studs or pins 37, the shanks of which are slid into the slots 28 of the keeper plates 27 and the walls of said slots guide the rail to its desired set position. The heads of the studs 37 are received in the mortises 26.

After a panel 31 and its top rail 33 have been set in position with respect to'the post 12, a removable molding strip 38 is attached to. each post 12.on the side opposite to that on which the fixed molding strip 13 is secured. This molding strip 38 imparts the continuation of a short strip 24 and seats upon the strip 24 when in position. The molding strip 38 includes a pair of spaced parallel tongues 39, one end of the tongueextending below the bottom edge of the molding strip 38 as best seen in Figure 9 of the drawings. Alined openings 40 are provided in the tongues 39 and are so spaced as to register with the openings 29 in each post 12 when the strip is appliedto the post. The strip is placed in position by inserting the lower extenddrawings.

ing ends of the tongues 39 into the lower ends of the grooves 25 of the post 12 so that the extending tongues look behind the relatively short molding strip 24.

The extending ends of the tongues are pointed or curved as at 41 to enable the insertion of the same into the grooves 25 and the swinging of the molding strip 38 to a position to cause the full length of the tongues 39 to seat in the grooves 25. After the strip 38 is applied to the post 12 in this manner; removable pins 42 are inserted through the registering openings 29 and 40 to lock the removable strip 38 against accidental outward movement relative to the post 12 to which it is secured. The removable molding strips 38 are of the same width as the fixed molding strips 13 so that opposite sides extend beyond opposite sides of the post to overlap the ends of the panels 31 and top rails 33 in order to conceal the joint between thepanels 31 and attaching post 12.

The extending sides of the molding strips 13 and 38 above .the top rail 33 provide vertical channels 43 which receive vertical rails 44 which are substantially L-shaped in cross section to provide a stop or shoulder 45'. The lower end of each strip or rail 44 is formed with an exten-. sion 46 adapted to overlap the ends of the shoulder or'strap 35 on the top rail33. In applying these rails 44 into position, the extension portion 46'is first inserted to bear against the top rail 33 after which the said railis swung upwardly into the channel 43 and frictionally engages the wall of the saidchannel. These strips conceal the ends of they locking pins 42 as best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings.

Fixedly secured in the lower channel 23 of the coping 16 is a rail 45 provided with a stop shoulder ,46' and the stop shoulders 46', 45' and 35 coact to receive a glass transparent panel 47. The panel 4'7 is secured in position against the above mentioned shoulders by removable retaining strips 48 which may be nailed to their supporting parts.

In the foregoing description, I have described the respective parts in the manner in which they are assembled for setting up and it will be understood that the; same are taken down in a reversed order. I I

In Figure l of the drawings I have illustrated the partition structure as extending from the floor to the ceiling of aroom .but.in some cases, it may be desired to terminate the structure at the coping 16. .The structure above the coping 16 comprises removable panels 49 which fit into the top channels 22 of vth'eicoping 16. The panels may be secured to the .upstanding posts in the same manner as the panels 31 hereinbefore mentioned, and it is thereforenot believed necessary to repeat the detailed descrip-, tion of the construction. Above the panels 39 there is a double panel construction 50, the walls of which overlap the ,top of the panels 49 and the joints are concealed by strips 51. Molding strips 52 are. secured to opposite sides of the panels 50 and against the ceiling 53; The panel 50 is of a length to extend the length of the partition structure as best seen in Figure 1 of the In Figure 1 of the drawings I have also illustrated a door opening in the partition structure which is formed between two of the vertical posts 12. By reference to Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that a'jamb or trim 54 is inserted into the channel 43 in one side tween said posts and of a height of the post construction and hinged'to one -of these iamb rails as at 55 is a door 56, Supported by the jamb rails 54 are .door stops against which the door abuts when in closed position;

The partition structure directly above the door 56 1s provided with a glass panel or transom 58 which is removably .secured in position in the same'manner as the glass panel 4!? hereinbefore referred to.

Iii-Figure 1-0 of the drawings 1 have illustrated,

The parts hereinbefore described such as the various panels, molding strips, retaining strips and the like are of wood and are finished tosuit the trim or woodwork of the room in which the structure is to be erected. It will be seen that the various parts are'standardwhich enables the erection of the structure in sections or units and whichunits may be set up rapidly andby one unskilled in the art. This structure will be found extremely useful in ofiices where it is desiredto divide a room into a number of private ofiices or rooms, and wherein rearranging of partitions is necessary by reason of the changing of tenants in anoflice building or structure.

While I have shown and described what I deem to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, I wish itto'be understood that various changes that come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a demountable partition structure, a pair of spaced fixed vertical posts, a panel fitting beless than said posts, molding strips fixed to one side of said posts and extending beyond the inner sides thereof to provide an abutment for said panel,

the opposite sides of said .posts having vertical grooves therein, short vertical molding strips secured ,to the grooved side of said posts at the bottoms thereof and overlying the lower ends of said grooves, removable molding strips,,and tongues provided on said removable molding strips and extending beyond the lower ends thereof, said tongues'being seated in said grooves with the extending ends disposed behind said short fixed molding strips and the inner sides of said removable molding strips extending beyond the inner sides of said posts for overlapping the opposite ends of said panel,

2. In a demountable partition structure, a pair of spaced fixed vertical posts, a panel fitting between said posts and of aheight less than said posts, molding strips fixed to one side of said posts and extending beyond the inner sides thereof to provide anabutment for said panel, the opposite sides of said posts having vertical grooves therein, short vertical molding strips secured to the grooved side of said posts at the bottoms thereof and overlying the lower ends of said grooves, removablecmolding strips, and tongues provided on said removable molding strips :and iextendinglbeyond the lower ends thereof, said tongues being seated in said grooves with theextending lends disposed behind said shontfixedmo'lding strips and the. inner sides of saidiremcvable molding strips extending beyond the inner sides of said posts for overlapping the opposite. ends ofsaidpanel, said tongues and posts: having: registering openings therein, and removable pins slidable into and out ofsai'd registering openings? 3. In a demountable partition structure, a pair of spaced fixed vertical posts having vertical abu'tments on the-inner; sides thereof, a-panel V of a size to fit between saidpos-ts' and in abutting engagementwith said abutments, a horizontal dividing railhaving a groove in the bottom thereof in which the top of said panel is received, separable pin andslot connectionsbea tween opposite" ends of said rail and the respective-post's, and removable molding strips seends of saidpaneI and said top rail.

cured, to saidposts end overlapping opposite 4-. In a demountable partition structureea pair of' spaced fixed vertical posts having vertical abutments on the inner sides thereof, a panel of a size to fit between said posts and in abutting engagement with said abutments, a horizontal glass supporting rail having a groove in the bottom thereof in which the top of said panel isreceived, separable pin and slot connections between opposite ends of said rail and the respective postsyremovable molding strips secured to said posts and overlapping opposite ends of said panel and said top rail, a coping connecting the tops of said posts, vertical glass abutting rails removably fitted against the inner sides of said posts and between the top of said horizontal rail and said coping, a glass panel supported by said horizontal glass supporting rail in'abutting engagement with said abutting rails, and removable glass retaining rails carried by said top rail, vertical rails and said coping.

fitting against said abutment, the inner sides of said posts being provided with opposed mortises, keeper platessecured to the inner sides of said posts and overlying said mortises, said keeper plates having angular slots therein opening through one of the side edges of said keeper plates, a horizontal glass panel supporting rail having a groove in the underside thereof in which the top of said panel is seated, headed studsextending from opposite ends of said horizontal rail for reception in the angular slots in the respective keeper plates, and removable means. for mounting a glass panel in supported position upon and in the space above said horizontal rail.

6. In a demountable partition structure, a fixed vertical post, a coping to which the top of said post is fixedly secured, a molding strip fixedly secured to one side of said post, a relatively'short molding strip fixedly secured to the base of said post on the opposite side of said post, the last mentioned side of said post having said tongues terminating short of the top of grooves therein extending from below the top 1 said removable molding strip but extending below the bottom of the same, said tongues being seated in said grooves with the extending ends disposed behind said relatively short molding strip and the top end of said removable molding strip overlapping said coping, removable pins passing through registering openings provided in said posts and said tongues, all of said molding strips extending beyond the opposite sides of said post, and panels abuttingopposite sides of said post and embraced bythe extending sides of said molding strips. 1

7. In a demountable partition structure, a pair of spaced fixed vertical posts, a panel fitting between said posts, molding strips fixed to one side of said posts and extending beyond the inner sidesthereof to provide an abutment for said panel, the opposite sides of saidposts having vertical grooves therein, sockets provided at the lower ends of said grooves, removable molding strips, and tongues provided onsaid removable molding strips and extending beyond the lower ends thereof, said tongues being seated in said sockets while the inner sides of said removable molding strips extend beyond the inner sides of said posts for overlapping the opposite ends of said panel. v

8. In a demountable partition structure, a pair ofv spaced fixed vertical posts, a panel fitting between said posts, molding strips fixed to one side of said posts and extending beyond the inner sides thereof to provide an abutment for said panel, the opposite sides of said posts having vertical grooves therein, sockets provided at the lower ends of said grooves, removable molding strips, and tongues provided on said removable molding strips and extending beyond the lower ends thereof, said tongues being seated in said sockets while the inner sides of said removable molding strips extend beyond the inner sides of said posts'for overlapping the opposite ends of said panel, and removable fastening elements passing through said posts and tongues to secure said molding strips to the respective posts.

THEODORE CARROZZA 

